Ulna Fracture Treatment in the Elite MMA Athlete

We used to call these fractures “nightstick fractures”. In mixed martial arts (MMA) they should be called “blocking a hard kick to the head” fracture.
In most cases we fix these fractures by realigning the fractured ulna and applying a plate held with screws across the fracture to hold it still. In active MMA fighters I personally recommend plate removal once the fracture has healed. If the plate is not removed a new fracture above or below the plate ends may occur. Removing the plate adds time to return to contact sports. However it also decreases the chance of having to deal with another fracture.
____________________________________▶️ Dr. Mora is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and founding partner at Restore Orthopedics and Spine Center @restoreortho in Orange County. He’s the Medical Director at The Treigning Lab @treigning_lab .

[@WiKUS_SMiT.]

Thanks this helps me alot to know more about my Ulna fracture i got in a car accident and how the recovery process would go.

[@MaryannT]

Thanks for this video! I'm not an mma fighter, but currently healing after a fracture, with plates on my forearm bones. Good to know what can lead to another fracture, and my options of not getting one!

[@md1997]

Amazing explanation

[@devrajbanerji9039]

Very knowledgeable - I have had a refracture so this was helpful.

[@SteveMoraMD]

Thank you.

[@oscarlechuga24]

Great video! Thanks 🙏🏽

[@kundanpawar4069]

Gratitude for the awesome video and the treasure trove of info! 🙌 Recently underwent surgery on my ulna with those cool titanium plates. 🛠️ Being a football fanatic eyeing the pro scene, falls are part of the game. ⚽ Wondering if bidding farewell to the plates is the key to dodge another fracture risk? 🤔 Your wisdom could be my game-changer! 🚀

[@obad311]

I have this same fracture in the two bones opposite, and when the screws and strips were taken off, I had a fusion in the two bones with some how to remove the fused bone

[@buffon114]

Thanks for this. Found this as in keen on practicing Ju Jitsu. I fractured my Ulnar and radial head in a motorcycle accident 6 years ago. I lift weights fine but there is some weakness (compared to other arm) but that may due be to lack of physical training to the arm. Any thoughts weather it’d be a good idea to roll, or not?

[@SteveMoraMD]

Probably ok to roll. As long as it is all healed up. It’s hard for me to say without knowing all details. Your training partners need to know to be extra careful. Be safe.

[@monteman125]

I suffered this same fracture 4 months ago and attempted to go without surgery. Everything looked good until I believe my doctor cleared me too early and I re fractured almost identical to the first one from jiu jitsu. Would you recommend getting the surgery because it’s the second break? Or just go the natural route but give more time?

[@SteveMoraMD]

Sorry I missed your comment. Hopefully it healed.

[@brienbell1634]

Just broke the end of my ulna. Hurts bad

[@artz50]

Since his ulna and radius were overlapping near his wrist on the x-ray how did you treat that, or was that just the angle the X-ray was taken on the wrist

[@SteveMoraMD]

It’s the angle. Ty for commenting. Be safe.

[@shivamkohli5640]

Had an open fracture on both radius and ulna and got the surgery done on the same day. Want to know if I will be able to lift weights/do yoga/plank etc after few months. Also,will I be able to resume playing badminton?

[@devrajbanerji9039]

Everyone is different but I had a open fracture on radius and ulna and as you have had surgery on the same day. I’m right handed but injury on left. I did a half marathon after 5 months but the arm was sore for a year. You can lift weights but I would wait a good long time and consult your doctor before doing anything

[@GabeKasp]

I had orif for my radial shaft about six screws. My orthopedic was very persistent that I don’t get it removed ever & says that I’m fine doing muy thai & ji jitsu. Am I susceptible to another refracture from hammer fists as well even though it’s not my ulnar that had orif?

[@crystal_x_ff]

Sir, how months we need to heal broken ulner? I have plate inside it

[@technominds4615]

how long did it take for the holes in bone due to screws to fill in completely

[@technominds4615]

how long does it take for the bone holes to fill in after screws femoval. Some say 3 Months some say 6months and some say never.? i am bit confused. One person said 2 years after implant removal that his hiles in ulna bone never filled in after removal

[@prakashlucky4563]

Sir, I have broken the bone near the knee joint and have been operated on. When will I need to have the plates sweetened again? Please tell me

[@gg-mc6jv]

Hello guys hello doctor i broke both 2 bones of my right ulna after 2weeks in motorcycle accident, they operated on me and put irons on me because the fracture was overwhelming .. In a year from now, I believe I will be able to do heavy exercise and unbalance as before without the risk of breaking under the pressure of weight??

[@ItsMe-lt6up]

what do you think about the biodegradable screws and plates ? isn't this the best option for mama fighters ?

[@obad311]

I had a fracture in the two bones in the same place, and chips and screws were made, and I was late in removing the slices, and the two bones fused in exchange for the fractures, so what is the solution

[@maxwellcarlscott]

Im at 7 weeks with very little callus formation should i be worried?

[@vijayyadav-ub4vo]

Sir, same fracture with my father, Ulna. The doctor said to me at the second visit, If I go for surgery, it will take less time, and if I go with plaster, it will take 3 months. What should I do now?

[@JstarAdream]

Wow my doctor didn't explain the stress riser part to me and I still have the plate in my arm

[@JstarAdream]

I broke my arm twice in the same spot, both big and small bone

[@SteveMoraMD]

It’s not an issue unless you expose your arm to high energy trauma. Aside from contact sports such as football MMA or military it’s a non issue.

[@FirexLyrics]

My nonunion fracture has healed with bonegraft and plate fixation when i can come in nirmal life

[@FirexLyrics]

My nonunion fracture has healed with bonegraft and plate fixation when i can come in nirmal life

[@dhanushdhanush6377]

wonderful sir realy nice 👍

[@ramu5424]

I have a same problem provide solution

[@vigneshrajendran2959]

Sir I also had same problem if I opprate how many day it cure

[@DrAlexVasquezICHNFM]

Gracias por todo. I’ve got a plate I’d like to have removed.

[@FaisalabadEstateMarketing]

sir why plate reaction

[@rodasgloriac]

In 8/10/20: I had: OPEN REDUCTION INTERNAL FIXATION FRACTURE RADIAL SHAFT (Right); just a year later I started to feel pain with any movement I make despite everything was fine until then. I thought I was completely healed it looks like I'm not. I can't brush my teeth, get dressed, eat without feeling pain and also I see some inflammation around the scar. :( What do you think Dr. Mora?

[@SteveMoraMD]

You need follow up or a second opinion.various possibilities. Sorry to hear.

[@mohammadumar193]

i broke my radius midshaft last month and had a plate installed how long would it take for me to ride a motorcycle again my doctor told me 3 months but i still have worries oh and can i lift weights with a plate in my arm

[@abhinavmishra2007]

After how many months were u able u drive...i got my surgery done on 19 nov 2022... Left arm radius shaft

[@priavratsinghcharan2421]

Right now i think im in the same situation , i broke my ulna in a fight and the bone is not healing properly , its almost 6 week since the injury and no callus is forming , the fracture has 1mm daviation , lets see what my doctor suggest me after 1 week more

[@DR_DICKMEDOWN95]

Broke mine in a fight as well around the same time as you. Got a plate and screws put in. Last Wednesday I got my splint off and was clear to get back to regular activity.

[@stanleycaboverde4957]

Doctor Good day im from the Philippines..Doctor is there chance that curve ulnar bone can be held through operation..? Because my situation Dortor is tha i injured my forearm on 2004 and im not been hospitalize..becuase of the curve ulnar bone of mine..i cannot turned my forearm properly...I hope Doctor you can answer my concern..Thank you..

[@SteveMoraMD]

Hello. Yes. Do a search for “ulnar osteotomy”. See if it looks like your arm. It might be possible. It’s not easy. You will have to find expert in your area. Sorry you are suffering with this. Be safe.

[@neliabulilan6340]

Hello doctor ,I would like to ask ,how long should fracture forearm surgery be done .because mine is 2 months now without surgery. Thank you

[@mdrakibulislamshovon]

After Removing My Radius and Ulna forearm plate, What is the time need to heal all of my 12 screw holes? 5 years ago my 1st surgery was ultimately happened with a plate and screw. Thank you.

[@SteveMoraMD]

Hello. Usually 3-6 months.

[@mdrakibulislamshovon]

@@SteveMoraMD Thank You

[@prabhakarkumar9175]

Apka plate remove ho gya sir

[@prathameshpitale5841]

@@mdrakibulislamshovon hi bro how long did it take for ur holes to fill

[@prabhakarkumar9175]

@@prathameshpitale5841 bhai apne plate nikalbaye kya

[@shyamvpm3977]

I fractured my radius and ulna midshaft in veichle accident before four months, still it's not healed, can you please tell how much time it takes for union

[@adytaveras6439]

It can take about 4-6 months or even longer some people are different, mine took about 5 months to heal

[@shyamvpm3977]

@@adytaveras6439 how is your forearm now? Can you do all activities?

[@adytaveras6439]

@@shyamvpm3977 with certain difficulty yes

[@arpitajain5061]

@@adytaveras6439 difficulties like??

[@prathameshpitale5841]

Hi sir, How much time does it take for screw holes to fill

[@prabhakarkumar9175]

Bro apka plate remove ho gya hai

[@prathameshpitale5841]

@@prabhakarkumar9175 no not yet. Abhi tak saal nahi hua

[@broahmed7744]

Hi doctor hope you will see my comment: I wanted to know if sex can delay the healing and how long after should one have sex? thank you 😊

[@samliferocks]

you have not mentioned timelines on xray

[@nathanialbroadway2719]

Oooh Yea !!!!!!! lol

[@Burkesquest8]

Ulna fracture 2 years ago, have plate. Still have pain and weakness. Weakness constant, pain manifests mostly when doing isolation exercises for biceps & triceps or working doing activity such as post hole digging. Should I be concerned? How long would I be out of commission if plate is removed? I’m 48 and I’m an active martial artist and mostly do compound lifts weekly with no issues. Thank you!

[@sida5092]

Have exactly the same thing buddy. Plates on both forearm bones, arm feels weaker and sore when doing isolation exercises. Properly going to get the plates removed next couple years, hopefully pain goes away

[@santanumistry8063]

My hand in plate.

[@Dev-uz8ok]

Cannot cure without surgery

[@fedx12345]

I have a plate in the left arm radius and I'm 27 had it for almost 6 to 7 years, is it possible to remove it? And how safe is it to remove it?

[@SteveMoraMD]

It’s usually pretty safe.

[@fedx12345]

@@SteveMoraMD thanks

[@mohammadumar193]

hey even i have a pate in my radius bone

[@joshuaapaap3353]

Doc can bone strong on its on even the plate remove after it healed?

[@SteveMoraMD]

Yes it can.

[@joshuaapaap3353]

How many months to your patients to heal they ulnar bone

[@manojkumar-to3wp]

Ok I need help so pls do reply even if it takes a long time... Here's my(32m) situation- On Apr5th I had a small road accident and broke both my ulna and radius in half right in the middle I think it's called a displaced fracture...my hand was hanging like in that wrestling or mma clip where the leg of the guy kicking just snaps...I couldn't afford private care and had only one opt. So on the 26apr(not sooner cos covid +) I had surgery and plates on both bones, had to discharged next day morning because of death in the family... Now here's my issue the last doc who came to do dressing my arm who was pretty young, in a hurry and not even my doc but just on the rounds, when asked told me I could never lift more than 4 5 kg and even that would be blessing due to covid I can't get time and proper consultation from a doc. This is india even the a better part of it but our healthcare is overwhelmed, you must have heard the news... I have gone into severe depression by what the last doc said and though I am doing whatever I am told by my docs I am on autopilot, so have I no hope n will have to live with limitations. Sad part since March I had for the first time in life started working out n now I am told I'll never be able to

[@kunalraizada8299]

Bhai mara bhi ulna bone displace hua ha

[@kunalraizada8299]

Or road Bhi laga hua ha

[@manojkumar-to3wp]

No rods only plates on both ulna and radius

[@kunalraizada8299]

@@manojkumar-to3wp mai aap sa contact kaysa karu

[@shyamm5183]

if operation os proper you can lift weights after a year, and you can be normal I guess can see this video, you will get an idea, kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3eofJ-KapWKn8k

[@janirul8101]

Sir my left hand ulnar broken 2 mouth ago me surgery

[@SteveMoraMD]

It takes a long time for the fracture to become rock solid. That can take 6 months with or without plate removal. Removing plate decreases the likelihood of a fracture at the tip of the plate.

[@kunalraizada8299]

Which place your ulna bone broken

[@arpitajain5061]

@@SteveMoraMD you mean to say plate increases likelihood of fracture

[@Dev-uz8ok]

Please translate in Hindi

[@amish3gremba142]

How long time it takes to recover

[@SteveMoraMD]

6 months.

[@MultiRambo008]

Use DCP. It's better

[@SteveMoraMD]

Ty for comment. DCP plate still needs to be removed. No real advantage.

[@MultiRambo008]

Agreed sir, but you'll have the advantage of lesser soft tissue stripping for the shorter length. And with concentric and eccentric drilling it can be safely achieved and implant removed after sometime. Had he been not a contact athlete, I would not have commented. Thanks for your quick reply